1972 Porsche 911 Carrera S – Exterior and Interior – Motorworld Classics Bodensee 2022
The Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 bridged road car and race-bred engineering at a moment of quiet transition. Beneath its familiar silhouette sat technology carried over directly from the Carrera RS, while subtle body changes hinted at its elevated role. It looked restrained, yet its specification told a more focused story.
Technical Details:
The Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 was powered by an air-cooled six-cylinder boxer engine with a displacement of 2,687 cc. With two valves per cylinder and mechanical Bosch intake manifold fuel injection, the engine delivered 210 PS (154 kW) and 255 Nm of torque. This mechanical injection system was carried over directly from the Carrera RS, and the engine specifications for the 1974 model year were essentially unchanged from that celebrated predecessor.
Power was transmitted to the rear wheels via a manually operated four-speed gearbox as standard. Unlike the Carrera RS, the five-speed transmission was only available at extra cost, and the Sportomatic semi-automatic transmission was not offered at all. The Carrera 2.7 reached a top speed of 240 km/h and accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds. Disc brakes were fitted at all four wheels, with ventilated discs measuring 282.5 mm at the front and 290 mm at the rear.
The car weighed 1,075 kg in standard form, contributing to its lively performance. Suspension geometry followed the classic 911 layout, with a wheelbase of 2,271 mm and slightly wider rear track than front, supporting traction and stability. Lightweight alloy wheels measured 6J x 15 inches at the front and 7J x 15 inches at the rear, paired with period-correct VR-rated tires.
- Manufacturer: Porsche
- Model Name: Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7
- Year of Manufacturing: 1973–1975
Design:
Visually, the 911 Carrera 2.7 remained close to the established 911 form, yet careful inspection revealed meaningful distinctions. The most notable exterior change compared to the standard 911 and 911 S was the slightly widened rear fenders, introduced to accommodate the broader rear tires. This subtle increase in width gave the car a more planted stance without resorting to overt aerodynamic additions.
Available as both Coupé and Targa, the Carrera 2.7 balanced sportiness with usability. The Targa version retained Porsche’s signature removable roof panel, offering open-air driving while preserving structural integrity. Inside, the cabin reflected a clear focus on the driver. A three-spoke leather steering wheel came as standard, and in the Coupé, electric window lifters were fitted as part of the series equipment. Materials and layout followed Porsche’s functional design language of the early 1970s, prioritizing clarity and ergonomics over decoration.
Historical Significance:
The 911 Carrera 2.7 emerged during a period when Porsche was consolidating lessons learned from motorsport into its road cars. By reusing the Carrera RS engine specification, Porsche ensured that the Carrera 2.7 benefited directly from recent racing-derived development without positioning it as a homologation special. Production ran from 1973 to 1975, with 1,534 Coupé versions and 610 Targa versions built, making it a comparatively low-volume model.
Its introduction also reflected changing regulatory and market conditions of the mid-1970s, as manufacturers adapted performance cars to evolving emissions and safety requirements while maintaining brand identity. The Carrera 2.7 thus stood as a continuation rather than a radical departure, reinforcing the 911’s mechanical lineage during a time of gradual transition.
Quirks and Pop Culture:
Within the broader early-1970s 911 family, several technical quirks have become part of Porsche folklore. One of the most discussed is the external oil filler door, known as the “Ölklappe,” introduced on the 1972 model year when Porsche relocated the oil tank ahead of the right rear wheel for improved weight distribution. While not specific to the Carrera 2.7, stories from this era describe drivers mistaking the oil filler for the fuel cap, sometimes with unfortunate consequences.
Another lasting technical change from this period was the introduction of the Type 915 gearbox, which replaced the earlier dog-leg shift pattern with a more conventional layout. Collectors and enthusiasts often view models like the Carrera 2.7 as closely tied to the evolutionary path leading from the 2.4-liter 911 S to the Carrera RS, giving the car a respected place in enthusiast culture rather than a strong presence in film or celebrity ownership.
Display and preservation:
The vehicle was exhibited at Motorworld Classics Bodensee in 2022. This event, held in Friedrichshafen, is a popular gathering for classic car enthusiasts in southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The 2022 edition featured over 800 exhibitors spread across multiple halls and open-air spaces, offering a vibrant mix of vintage automobiles, motorcycles, boats, and aircraft. Visitors could explore restoration workshops, parts markets, and club presentations. A key highlight was the live vehicle auctions and dynamic driving demonstrations on the event grounds. The show reaffirmed its reputation as a hands-on celebration of classic mobility culture.
Conclusion:
The Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 combined proven racing-derived engine technology with understated visual refinement. Its mechanical specification, restrained design updates, and limited production numbers defined it as a focused evolution of the classic 911 rather than a dramatic reinvention. Today, it stands as a clear example of how Porsche translated competition experience into a road car shaped by continuity, precision, and careful engineering choices.
